New therapeutic options in the management of COPD - Focus on rofumilast

Abstract

In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) the infammation occurring in the airways and in other lung tissues is complex and is orchestrated by various mediators including the isoenzyme 4 of the phosphodiesterases family (PDE4), which contributes to bronchoconstriction and infammation. Various PDE4 inhibitors have been evaluated as potential therapies in asthma or COPD but among these only rofumilast have been authorized in Europe to be used in patients with severe COPD as an add-on to the bronchodilator therapy. This review discusses the existing preclinical and clinical data supporting the use of rofumilast for this therapeutic indication and tackles some of the pending issues related to PDE4 in general and to rofumilast in particular. © 2011 Antoniu, publisher and licensee Dove Medical Press Ltd.